NewGen Airways the 1st to Operate Split Scimitar Winglets in Asia

Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) announced today that Thailand's NewGen Airways is the first airline in Asia to install and operate with Split Scimitar Winglets on its Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft leased from GECAS. Aviation Partners' latest Winglet design, the Split Scimitar® Winglet, uses existing Blended Winglet technology but adds new aerodynamic Scimitar tips and a large ventral strake, further increasing the efficiency of the airplane.

"NewGen is taking steps to be the most efficient and recognizable brand in Asia," says Craig McCallum, Aviation Partners Boeing's director of sales & marketing. "The Split Scimitar Winglets gives them an additional cost advantage over other Asian operators who have yet to adopt the technology."

The Split Scimitar Winglet modification reduces Boeing Next-Generation 737 fuel burn by an additional 2.5% over the Blended Winglets alone; together they reduce fuel burn by up to 6.6%. The two products combined will reduce NewGen's annual fuel requirements by more than 480,000 liters per aircraft, and their carbon dioxide emissions by about 1,220 tonnes per aircraft per year. Despite the current low fuel price environment, these benefits are hard to ignore.

"Smart airlines are reinvesting the profits from lower fuel costs to assure their costs remain low when fuel prices inevitably rise," said Patrick LaMoria, APB's chief commercial officer. "NewGen will generate positive value from Split Scimitar Winglets at today's fuel price, and the value of reducing its carbon footprint is positive for everyone."

APB's Split Scimitar Winglet program is the most successful product launch in its history. Since launching the program APB has taken orders and options for over 2,000 Split Scimitar Winglet systems. Over the last 10 years, APB has sold nearly 8,000 of its Blended Winglet and Split Scimitar Winglet Systems. Over 7,000 Systems are now in service on Boeing aircraft with over 200 airlines in more than 100 countries. APB estimates that its advanced technology winglets have saved airlines worldwide over 6 billion gallons of jet fuel to-date.